The Mayor of Athens Mr. Kostas Bakoyannis: "In a time of multiple crises, children's lives are being turned upside down. The pandemic affected learning, development and child protection, and highlighted inequalities in access to services and care. In this unprecedented situation, the children "paid for the marble", losing the physical contact with their school and friendly environment, with the long-term effects being unknown, swimming in uncharted waters. We are proud of the fact that Athens is under the seal of UNICEF Candidate City Friendly for Children: It focuses on the needs of children and young people and adapts services, benefits, actions in this direction. We are firmly committed to improving the city's infrastructure for children: schools, parks, outdoor and indoor playgrounds, playgrounds. A renovated and safe playground, a modern outdoor playground can house dreams, be a way out, even a temporary shelter, away from a toxic environment. In my mind there is always the verse: "defend the child, because if a child is saved, there is hope".

The Mayor of Thessaloniki Mr. Konstantinos Zervas: "George Zongolopoulos himself had characteristically stated:‘ The umbrella as a protective object is familiar to the whole world. We all find protection and warmth under its light dome... '. In view of the 20th of November, the 'Umbrellas' on the new waterfront of Thessaloniki, which bear the seal of this leading sculptor, are illuminated, to send the universal message that we have a duty to protect the rights of all children. Especially in the difficult conditions that the pandemic has created, this message must and deserves to be heard very loudly. "Let us all work for a 'better future for every child', just as this year's theme for World Children's Day urges us."